Richmond County teen drowns at Blewett Falls

A Richmond County teen drowned Saturday afternoon at Blewett Falls along the Pee Dee River between Richmond and Anson counties.

Jaquan Bailey

The teen, identified as 17-year-old Jaquan Bailey, of Hamlet, had gone fishing with friends when he decided to go for a swim. Witnesses report that Bailey “cramped up” while swimming. When a friend dove in to save him, Bailey’s frantic motion began to pull the friend under — so the friend let go.

Jaquan celebrated his 17th birthday on May 24.

Aunt Tiffany York, of Hamlet, described Jaquan has a helpful young man who “loved to hang out with his friends.”

Jaquan, she said, “didn’t meet any strangers. He was the kind of kid that would do anything for anybody. If you see him, you see his friends.”

Jaquan had not yet chosen a career path but “he liked fixing things,” York said.

Along with his aunt, Jaquan is survived by his mother, Velma Dawkins; a brother, Daquan Cole; an older sister, Kiera Bailey, of Albemarle.

Bailey was a sophomore at Richmond Senior High School and played for the Raiders football team.

Nelson Funeral Services, Hamlet, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.